Protective body armor having a front opening

ABSTRACT

A protective equipment item comprising at least one dorsal portion designed for covering at least a portion of the back of a user, and at least two lateral portions, which extend forward to the front from either side of the dorsal portion and each of which defining an arm hole together with the dorsal portion. There is also at least two front portions, with each front portion being fastened respectively to one of the lateral portions, and being provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the other front portion such that the front portions cover at least a portion of the torso of the user when fastened to one another.

The present invention relates to a protective equipment item, such as a protective body armour vest designed to cover at least a portion of the torso and the back of a user, the said protective equipment item includes at least one dorsal portion, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, designed for covering at least a portion of the back of the user, and at least two lateral portions, which extend forward to the front from either side of the dorsal portion and each of which define an arm hole together with the dorsal portion.

Such a protective equipment item is intended for use by law enforcement officers or security personnel for example.

Such a protective equipment item must be able to protect the user against violent impact force or shocks, possibly delivered by heavy objects, for example, during the course of protests and demonstrations or clashes.

The equipment item is worn around the upper part of the body generally accompanied by a helmet for protecting the head of the user.

Known body armour vests of this type are generally made out of several parts that are permanently attached to each other and are to be put on by pulling over the head downwards like a chasuble, which is impractical. This method of putting on the vest is not compatible with the wearing of a helmet and requires the user to remove their helmet so as to be able to put on the vest, which involves considerable risks and could result in the significant loss of time in emergency situations, particularly out in public on the streets and roads.

In addition, the known vests do not offer the possibility of simply reinforcing the protection provided by the vests because the parts are permanently attached to each other.

One of the objectives of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing a type of protective equipment item such as a protective body armour vest that can be put in use easily and rapidly and does not require being pulled on over the head, the said vest also having a adaptable modular configuration in order to enable easy reinforcement of the protection offered.

To this end the invention relates to a protective equipment item of the aforementioned type comprising of at least two front portions, each provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, with each front portion being fastened respectively to one of the lateral portions, each front portion being provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the other front portion in a manner such that the said front portions cover at least a portion of the torso of the user when the said front portions are fastened to one another.

The ability to adjust all of the front portions of the vest by means of a releasable fastener such as a zip fastener, provides the ability to put on the vest in the same manner as a coat when the front panels are detached from each other and then to close the vest by fastening the front panels to one another. Thus, the vest is not pulled on over the head and therefore does not require that the user take off their helmet in the event of an emergency. The vest according to the invention therefore provides greater security and may be effectively put on more rapidly.

According to other characteristic features of the protective equipment item based on the invention:

-   -   the releasable fastening means of the front portions comprise of         a zip fastener of which each guide tape is attached respectively         to one of the front portions;     -   the protective equipment item comprises at least one protective         panel fastened in a releasable manner on to one of the portions         of the vest, the said protective panel being interchangeable         with another type of protective panel offering different         mechanical characteristics;     -   the protective equipment item further comprises at least one         pectoral panel, provided with at least one pad made of a         resiliently compressible material, the said pectoral panel         extending over the reverse side of the front portions, at least         to be facing the end portions of the front portions that extend         so as to each be next to the other when the said portions are         fastened to one another;     -   the pectoral panel is fastened in a releasable manner to at         least one of the front portions, in such fashion as to be         interchangeable with another type of pectoral panel;     -   the protective equipment item further comprises at least one         pelvic panel, provided with at least one pad made of a         resiliently compressible material, the said panel extending         under the front portions and being designed to cover the pelvis         of the user;     -   the pelvic panel is fastened in a releasable manner to the         pectoral panel in such fashion as to be interchangeable with         another type of pelvic panel;     -   the pelvic panel is provided with releasable fastening means for         being fastened in a releasable manner to the dorsal portion;     -   at least one of the lateral portions is provided with fit         adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the equipment item         around the user;     -   at least one of the front portions or dorsal portions is         provided with releasable fastening means on the external surface         of the said portion thereby making it possible to attach at         least one additional protective element; and     -   the protective equipment item in addition comprises at least one         external shell made out of a rigid material, the said shell         extending so as to be facing at least one part of one of the         portions of the protective equipment item in such fashion as to         cover the said part.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a type of protective equipment item such as a protective body armour vest designed for covering at least a part of the torso and the back of the user, the said equipment item comprising at least a dorsal portion, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, designed for covering at least a portion of the back of the user, at least two lateral portions, which extend forward to the front from either side of the dorsal portion and at least one front portion connected to the dorsal portion by the lateral portions, with the dorsal, lateral, and front portions together defining two arm holes therebetween, the protective equipment item comprising at least one protective panel fastened in a releasable manner on to at least one of the portions of the vest, the said protective panel being interchangeable with another type of protective panel offering different mechanical characteristics.

According to other characteristic features of the protective equipment item according to the invention:

-   -   the protective equipment item includes at least two front         portions, each provided with at least one pad made of a         resiliently compressible material, each front portion being         fastened respectively to one of the lateral portions, each front         portion being provided with releasable fastening means for being         fastened in a releasable manner to the other front portion in a         manner such that the said front portions cover at least a         portion of the torso of the user when these front portions are         fastened to one another;     -   the releasable fastening mean of the front portions comprise of         a zip fastener of which each guide tape is attached respectively         to one of the front portions;     -   the protective equipment item further comprises at least one         pectoral panel, provided with at least one pad made of a         resiliently compressible material, the said pectoral panel         extending over the reverse side of the front portions, at least         to be facing the end portions of the front portions that extend         so as to each be next to the other when the said portions are         fastened to one another;     -   the pectoral panel is fastened in a releasable manner to at         least one of the front portions, in such fashion as to be         interchangeable with another type of pectoral panel;     -   the protective equipment item further comprises at least one         pelvic panel, provided with at least one pad made of a         resiliently compressible material, the said panel extending         under the front portions and being designed to cover the pelvis         of the user;     -   the pelvic panel is fastened in a releasable manner to the         pectoral panel in such fashion as to be interchangeable with         another type of pelvic panel;     -   the pelvic panel is provided with fastening means for being         fastened in a releasable manner to the dorsal portion;     -   at least one of the lateral portions is provided with fit         adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the equipment item         around the user;     -   at least one of the front or dorsal portions is provided with         releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable         manner on to the external surface of the said portion thereby         making it possible to provide at least one additional protective         element; and     -   the protective equipment item in addition comprises at least one         outer shell made out of a rigid material, the said shell         extending so as to be facing at least one part of one of the         portions of the protective equipment item in such fashion as to         cover the said part.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the description that follows, given purely by way of example and with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the front view of the protective equipment item according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the side view of the protective equipment item shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the front view of a pectoral panel and a pelvic panel that are provided on the protective equipment item shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the front view of the pelvic panel shown in FIG. 3.

In the description, the term “external” is used to refer to that which is turned towards the exterior of the protective equipment item, that is to say, in the direction away from the part of the body wearing the equipment item, and the term “internal” is used to refer to that which is turned towards the interior of the equipment item, that is to say towards the part of the body wearing the equipment item.

With reference to FIG. 1, the description presents a type of protective equipment item such as a protective body armour vest 1 that is intended for use by law enforcement officers or security personnel or such like. In the following sections of the description, the protective equipment item will simply be referred to as “vest” 1.

The vest 1 is designed to cover at least the back and the abdomen and/or torso of the user, as shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2.

The vest 1 comprises essentially two front portions 2 and 4, one dorsal portion 6 (FIG. 2), the front portions 2 and 4 being each connected to the dorsal portion 6 by at least one lateral portion 8.

Each of the parts mentioned here above comprises one or more protective panels, each panel being provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, for instance a foam or an elastomer material, for example obtained by means of injection or moulding. A plate made out of a rigid material is arranged in front of the pad, towards the exterior of the vest 1. The plate may be substantially planar or may be shaped so as to conform to the shape of the part of the body which it covers, in order to be ergonomic and to thereby enhance the comfort of the panel while also facilitating the freedom of movement of the user. Such a plate provides for good distribution of energy when an impact force is applied thereto, as well as absorption of a part of this energy, the absorption then being brought about by means of the pad. The pad and plate are for example covered with an appropriate fabric that is suitable for the field of protective equipment applications. The production of such panels is known per se and will not be described in further detail herein.

Each protective panel, due to its structure, is able to absorb at least a portion of the energy released due to impact forces, in particular shocks caused by blows delivered by a third party using bare hands or with an object, or by projectiles thrown by a third party, in order to protect the user wearing the equipment item, while also allowing the user to move about freely.

The interior of each panel or of some of them, may possibly be lined with one or more suitable textile materials that are capable of facilitating absorption and/or evacuation of the sweat of the user, as represented by reference numeral 10 as in FIG. 3, and the ventilation of the vest 1 in order to improve the comfort thereof, for example a textile material that is said to be “breathable”.

With the exception of the front portions 2 and 4, which may be fastened to each other in a releasable manner, as will be described later, the portions are fastened to each other for example by stitching.

The dorsal portion 6 is intended to cover at least partially, the back of the user, as shown in FIG. 2. Two lateral portions 8 are provided in order to cover the shoulders of the user and are each fastened to the dorsal portion 6 and as a result thereof extend forward to the front, that is to say towards the torso of the user. Two other lateral portions 9 are provided at the level of the ribs of the user and are fastened to the dorsal portion 6 as a consequence thereof.

One of the front portions 2 is fastened to one of lateral portions 8 intended for covering the shoulders and the other front portion 4 is attached to the other lateral portion 8 intended for covering the shoulders. Two other lateral portions 9 are provided at the level of the ribs of the user and are each fastened to one of the front portions 2 and 4 respectively as a consequence thereof.

The lateral portions 9 fastened to the front portions 2 and 4 at the level of the ribs are provided on their external surface with attachment means 12, for example of the hook and loop (Velcro style) tape type, whereas the lateral portions 9 that are fastened to the dorsal portion 6 at the level of the ribs are provided on their internal surfaces with complementary attachment means, for example of the hook and loop (Velcro style) tape type. Thus the lateral portions 9 that are integrally secured to the front portions 2 and 4 and the lateral portions 9 that are integrally secured to the dorsal portion 6 at the level of the ribs, may be fastened in a releasable manner to each other while providing the ability to adjust the fit of the vest 1 around the body of the user, as represented in the FIGS. 1 and 2. The lateral portions 9 at the level of the ribs are thus provided with the fit adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the vest around the user.

The front portions 2 and 4, the dorsal portion 6, and the lateral portions 8 and 9 together define therebetween through openings as arm holes 14 for the user's arms. That is to say that the vest comprises an opening formed on each side between the two lateral portions 8 and 9, one covering a shoulder and the other the ribs, the dorsal portion 6 and one of the front portions 2 and 4, as shown in FIG. 2.

Additionally, the vest 1 also comprises protective panels for protecting a part of the arms 16 that are fastened, for example, in a releasable manner, to the lateral portions 8 covering the shoulders. Each arm protection panel for protecting the arms 16 thus extends over one arm hole opening 14 in such a manner as to cover a part of the arm of the user. The arm protection panels 16 are for example provided with straps 18, or such like, to be used for the fastening and fit adjusting thereof to the arm of the user.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lateral portions 8 for shoulders and the panels for protection of the arms 16 are reinforced by the shells 20 made out of a rigid material, such as polycarbonate for example, that extend over the exterior of the portion 8 and the panel 16 so as to enhance the protection of the user wearing the vest 1. Such shells 20 are known and have a general form shaped like the part of the body that they protect. The external surface of the shells 20 is shaped in a known manner so as to facilitate the absorption of shock impact during clashes. The shape formation is adapted to be complementary to the part of the body that is to be protected and includes, for example protrusions extending from both sides of the hollow, that are designed to improve the behavioural performance of the shells 20 in the event of impact forces. Each portion 8 and panel 16 may be reinforced by a shell 20, with the adjacent shells being joined to each other in an articulated manner for example.

The shells 20 may be fastened in place permanently or in a releasable manner to the panels that they cover, for example by means of riveting or the like.

The front portions 2 and 4 are provided with releasable fastening means 22 to be used for fastening the front portions 2 and 4 to each other, when the vest 1 has been put on. The term ‘releasable fastening means’, is used to indicate that the front portions can be fastened to one another or detached from one another by bringing about the engaging or disengaging of the fastening means for fastening the portions to each other.

According to the embodiment represented in FIG. 1, the fastening means 22 are constituted of a zip fastener 24, of which the toothed rows of guide tape 26 are attached respectively to one of the front portions 2 and 4. In a known manner, a slider 28 is movable over the toothed rows of guide tape 26 in such fashion as to fasten one to the other or to separate them from each other. The slider 28 and the toothed rows of guide tape 26 have been represented in the closed position in FIG. 1. The toothed rows of guide tape 26 are for example sewn on to the end portions 30 of the front portions 2 and 4 so as to be positioned one next to the other when the vest 1 is closed, that is to say, the end portions located away from the through openings 4 for the arms.

The releasable fastening means 22 to be used for fastening or unfastening the front portions 2 and 4 to or from each other may be different in nature from that of the zip fastener 24 described here above. Thus, the releasable fastening means 22 may be, for example snap on buttons or strips of hook and loop (Velcro) tape, or a combination of these different means.

The vest 1 described here above can therefore be put on in the same way as a coat. With the front portions in the open position, the user passes one arm and then the other through the arm hole openings 14 in order to put on the vest 1 and then engages the releasable fastening means 20 in order to close the vest 1 and maintain in positin the front portions 2 and 4 against their abdomen. The fit of the vest 1 around the body may be adjusted by means of the lateral portions 9 that are disposed at the level of the ribs. Thus, the vest 1 is particularly quick and easy to put on and does not require, where applicable, the removing of the helmet covering the head of the user, which is unlike conventional body armour vests meant to be put on in the same way as a chasuble.

When the vest 1 is closed and arm protection panels are attached, the user is protected in the region of the back, abdomen, shoulders, the ribs and part of their arms.

However, it is to be noted that the part of torso that extends so as to be facing the releasable fastening means 22 is not protected on account of it not being possible to place a shock absorbing pad in the end portions 30 of the front portions 2 and 4 that accommodate the releasable fastening means 22.

In order to overcome this drawback, the vest 1 according to the invention moreover also provides the ability to fasten a pectoral protective panel 32 on the interior of the vest 1 on the reverse side of the front portions 2 and 4 in order for the pectoral panel 32 to serve as lining for the junction between the front portions 2 and 4 and the releasable fastening means 22. The pectoral panel 32 thus extends between the front portions 2 and 4 and the torso of the user when the vest 1 is closed. This pectoral panel 32 has been more precisely illustrated in FIG. 3. Just like the other protective panels of the vest 1, it comprises at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material lined with a rigid plate covered for example with one or more textile materials. The pectoral panel 32 is fastened in a releasable manner to the front portions 2 and 4. More particularly, the pectoral panel 32 is for example fastened by means of a zip fastener 34 to one of the front portions 2. One of the toothed rows of guide tape of the zip fastener 34 is for example, provided on a tongue 36 fastened to the front portion 2 and extending over the reverse side of the portion and the other toothed row of guide tape is provided on a lateral edge 38 of the pectoral panel 32. The pectoral panel 32 may in addition include for example, a strip 40 of hook and loop (Velcro) tape meant for cooperating with a complementary strip provided on the other front portion 4. Thus, the pectoral panel 32 does not interfere with the process of putting on the vest 1, since it can be fastened to only one of the front portions 2, when the vest 1 is open, and then to both of the front portions 2 and 4, when the vest 1 is closed. The pectoral panel 32 provides the ability to reinforce the protection to the torso of the user and in particular to ensure effective protection of the zone of attachment of the frontal portions 2 and 4 to each other, that is to say, the zone wherein extend the releasable fastening means 22.

The vest 1 in addition includes a pelvic panel 42 designed for protecting the pelvis of the user of the vest 1. This pelvic panel 42 is formed to conform to shape of the zone that it protects, as represented in FIG. 4. It is fastened in a releasable manner, for example, by means of a strip 44 of hook and loop Velcro style tape, at the bottom end of the pectoral panel 32 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the pelvic panel 42 extends in the front portions 2 and 4, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pelvic panel 42 further includes releasable fastening means 46 for being fastened to the dorsal portion 6 thereby allowing for the panel 42 to conform to the shape of the pelvis of the user. The releasable fastening means 46 are for example formed by reciprocal clip on fasteners 48 each extending to the ends of the tongues 50 that are integrally secured respectively to the pelvic panel 42 and the dorsal portion 6.

According to one embodiment, one or both of the two front portions 2 and 4 and/or the dorsal portion 6 may be provided with releasable fastening means on the external surface of these portions for at least one inserted element of additional protection (not shown). The releasable fastening means are for example formed by one or more strips of hook and loop Velcro style tape or by other means. The additional protective elements may be additional protective panels, such as those forming the different parts of the vest 1 and/or additional ballistic protection, or the like.

Similarly, the internal surface of the front portions and/or dorsal portions may be provided may be provided with releasable fastening means for releasably fastening at least one inserted element of additional protection, such as a collar piece 54 for protecting the neck and the nape of the neck of the user.

Thus, the dorsal portion and/or the lateral portions and/or front portions may for example be equipped with one or more receiving pockets for accommodating a supplementary protective panel. This additional protective panel may have characteristic features that are different from those of the protective panels previously described above in order to allow for effectively adapting or modulating the level of protection offered by the vest 1, depending upon whether or not these supplementary panels are arranged in pockets.

The vest 1 thus offers the user graduated protection scaled in accordance with the threat type and level, with the user having the ability to easily add or remove the additional protective panels on the interior and/or on the exterior of the vest.

Thus, the vest 1 offers a highly adjustable modular configuration and provides the ability to adapt the protection level offered by the vest 1 to the situation encountered. Thus, all of the releasable elements attached on to the vest, such as the pectoral panel 32 and the pelvic panel 42, are interchangeable and may be replaced with various different elements having different shock absorbing characteristics. By way of an example, these elements may be replaced by protective elements for protection against piercing type of shocks or against ballistic impacts, by adapting the materials used for fabricating the insert elements, which makes it possible to easily reinforce the protection offered by the vest 1.

Similarly, the vest 1 is capable of receiving additional protective elements to be used for further enhancing this protection, as has previously been described above.

Each portion may include more than one protective panel separated from the other panels by zones of stitching in order to enable the creating of less rigid zones that contribute to improving the user's ability to move freely while wearing the vest, as represented by reference numeral 56 as in FIG. 1.

Thus, the vest 1 is easy to put on while also providing an optimal level of protection and comfort to its user. 

1. A protective equipment item, such as a protective body armour vest designed to cover at least a portion of the torso and the back of a user, the said protective equipment item including at least one dorsal portion, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, designed for covering at least a portion of the back of the user, and at least two lateral portions, which extend forward to the front from either side of the dorsal portion and each of which defining an arm hole together with the dorsal portion, wherein the protective equipment item further comprises at least two front portions, each provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, with each front portion being fastened respectively to one of the lateral portions, each front portion being provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the other front portion in a manner such that the said front portions cover at least a portion of the torso of the user when these portions are fastened to one another.
 2. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, wherein the releasable fastening means of the front portions comprise of a zip fastener, of which each guide tape is attached respectively to one of the front portions.
 3. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, comprising at least one protective panel fastened in a releasable manner to one of the portions of the vest, the said protective panel being interchangeable with another type of protective panel offering different mechanical characteristics.
 4. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pectoral panel, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, the said pectoral panel extending over the reverse side of the front portions, at least to be facing the end portions of the front portions that extend so as to each be facing the other when the said portions are fastened to one another.
 5. A protective equipment item according to claim 4, wherein the pectoral panel is fastened in a releasable manner to at least one of the front portions in such fashion as to be interchangeable with another type of pectoral panel.
 6. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pelvic panel, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, said pelvic panel extending under the front portions and being designed to cover the pelvis of the user.
 7. A protective equipment item according to claim 4, further comprising at least one pelvic panel, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, said pelvic panel extending under the front portions and being designed to cover the pelvis of the user, and wherein the pelvic panel is fastened in a releasable manner to the pectoral panel in such fashion as to be interchangeable with another type of pelvic panel.
 8. A protective equipment item according to claim 6, wherein the pelvic panel is provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the dorsal portion.
 9. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lateral portions is provided with fit adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the equipment item around the user.
 10. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the front portions or dorsal portions is provided with releasable fastening means on the external surface of the said portion thereby making it possible to attach at least one additional protective element.
 11. A protective equipment item according to claim 1, further comprising at least one external shell made out of a rigid material, the said shell extending so as to be facing at least one part of one of the portions of the protective equipment item in such fashion as to cover the said part. 